Kershaw Set for Season Debut After Lengthy Absence
Clayton Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is set to make his highly anticipated season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. The star pitcher has been sidelined for nearly four months following offseason shoulder surgery, and his return brings a much-needed boost to the team's rotation.
Kershaw's last outing was far from his best, as he allowed six runs and managed to record only one out in a postseason start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers will be hoping for a much stronger performance this time as they aim to maintain their dominance in the league.
Mets and Braves Gear Up for Clash
On the same day, the New York Mets are set to face the Atlanta Braves. The Mets come into the game with momentum, having completed both a two-game sweep and a four-game season sweep over their city rivals, the New York Yankees. This upcoming matchup promises to be a crucial game for both teams as they jostle for position in their respective divisions.
Fantasy Sports Insights
Mike McClure, a renowned daily Fantasy sports pro with over $2 million in career earnings, is once again in the spotlight. McClure uses a proprietary projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times, providing invaluable insights for fantasy sports enthusiasts.
In recent performances, Jurickson Profar has caught the eye, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored on Wednesday. His impressive performance earned him 28.4 points on FanDuel and 21 points on DraftKings, making him a valuable pick for fantasy players.
Gunnar Henderson also stands out, priced at $6,300 on DraftKings and $4,500 on FanDuel. Henderson leads all shortstops in home runs with 28 this season and ranks in the top three at his position in runs scored, RBIs, hits, slugging percentage, and OPS. With a season slash line of .287/.373/.574 and a .946 OPS, he is a hot commodity in the fantasy sports world.
Orioles and Marlins Set for Decisive Game
The Baltimore Orioles are facing the Miami Marlins in a three-game series concluding on Thursday. The Orioles have been impressive this season, ranking second in the American League in runs scored and win percentage. This final game of the series promises to be a key fixture for both teams as they seek to capitalize on their respective strengths.
Roddery Munoz has struggled this season with a 5.14 ERA, and left-handed hitters have particularly feasted on his pitching, batting .302 with a 1.072 OPS against him. Gunnar Henderson, hitting .304 with a .982 OPS against right-handed pitchers, will be eagerly looking to exploit this matchup.
Xander Bogaerts’ Impressive Comeback
Xander Bogaerts is another player making headlines with his recent performances. Priced at $4,000 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel, Bogaerts went 4-for-4 with two runs scored on Wednesday. He returned on July 12 after missing roughly six weeks with a shoulder injury and has been on a tear since then. Over seven games since his return, Bogaerts is hitting .483 with a .983 OPS and has notched six multi-hit performances. His career average against left-handed pitchers stands at .306 with an .853 OPS, making him a formidable opponent.
Bogaerts has a 3-for-5 record with a home run against Patrick Corbin, who has a 5.35 ERA over 20 starts this season. Right-handed hitters have found success against Corbin, batting .301 with an .855 OPS, which could be a factor to watch in their upcoming encounters.
As the baseball season progresses, these individual performances and team matchups set the stage for thrilling moments and pivotal games. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on key players like Kershaw, Profar, Henderson, and Bogaerts as they aim to make significant impacts for their teams.